African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
Date: Friday August 26, 2022
Department: Africa CDC
Application deadline: Friday September 9, 2022
Background:
The African Union (AU), established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with
spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity,
solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as
developing new partnerships worldwide. AU headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, capital city
of Ethiopia.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was officially launched in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, 2017. The Africa CDC is Africa’s first continent-wide
public health agency and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where
Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other
public health threats. The agency mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’
capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health
burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance,
laboratory, and research programmes. In October 2017, Africa CDC officially launched its
Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Control, 2018 – 2023 and in 2020, the Africa
Union Framework on AMR Control 2020-2025. These Frameworks describe strategies and tactics
for Africa CDC to improve surveillance, delay emergence, limit transmission, and mitigate harm
of AMR pathogens. One of the key strategies for limiting transmission is to improve infection
prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare facilities.
Hence, Africa CDC and AFENET therefore invite applicants who are citizens of Member States
to apply for the position of Technical Officer for AMR Policy.
Post: 1
Post: Technical Officer (AMR Policy)
Grade: AU P2/1
Number of positions: 01 (One)
Recruiting Unit: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
Supervisor: Head of Disease Surveillance and Intelligence
Duty Station: Headquarters, Addis Ababa
Job Purpose
The Technical Officer for AMR will support the AMS (Antimicrobial Stewardship) and (Infection
Prevention & Control) activities including surveillance of AMR healthcare associated infections
(HAIs) in healthcare settings.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Officer for AMR shall:
- Provide technical support for the implementation of activities within the Antimicrobial
Resistance (AMR) Programme. - Support the implementation of African Union Framework for AMR Control and Africa
CDC IPC Legal Framework in Regional Economic Communities and Member States. - Support the development of an IPC toolkit for strengthening IPC administration and
oversight, a key element of national IPC programs. - Provide technical support to Member states for the development and strengthening of
national AMR programs, policies &/or procedures. - Collaborate with national counterparts to coordinate the development of national strategies
and policies through strategic policy advice and guidance for AMR and IPC. - Provide technical support to Member states to set up national Infection Control
Committees. - Lead monitoring and responding to HAI and AMR surveillance. Support the development
and dissemination of AMR surveillance data and reports in open access platforms.
Provide technical support to Member states to set up national Infection Control Committees. Provides expert consultation to Member States to inform strategic, technical and operational decisions related to AMR-IPC best practices and implementation.
- Conduct assessments and support the development and strengthening of national programs,
policies & procedures to address the Infection Prevention needs of member states. - Lead monitoring and responding to Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI’s) and
communicable infections. The technical officer will support infection prevention site visits
in hospitals and other healthcare to investigate hospital acquired infections. - Support the development/review/revision of the IPC and WASH guidelines, aide-memoire,
SOPs and other documents. - Provide infection prevention perspective in drafting, reviewing and editing, technical
reports and quality educational materials on a diverse spectrum of infection prevention
topics, from risk assessment to transmission-based precautions. - Conduct both operational and implementation research in IPC as it relates to AMR.
- Represent Africa CDC in a professional manner, which creates a positive image and
enhances the credibility of the organization. - Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor.
Required skills and Competencies:
a. Functional skills
- Experience supporting the implementation of public health programmes with an emphasis
on infection prevention and control. - Demonstratable technical expertise and experience in the development of policies,
processes, procedures and tools for public health. Knowledge of the global IPC guidance,
IPC programmes assessment and implementation tools, IPC for the prevention of neonatal
and maternal sepsis, and recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infections. - Excellent scientific writing skills, as well as the ability to translate technical concepts into
understandable and useable documents at field level. - Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC,
Regional Collaborating Centers and National Public Health Institutes is preferred. - Clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of
operations of the Ministries of Health in Member States. - Excellent computer skills, including word-processing capabilities, proficiency with email
and internet applications, experience in using office software applications such as MS
Excel, Power Point and Word
b. Personal Abilities
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability
to function in a rapidly changing and sometimes high-pressure environment, and be
comfortable operating within a multicultural team. - Ability to plan ahead and predict potential and emerging barriers
- Ability to build strong relationships internally and with external stakeholders
- High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team spirit
- Ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision, and in a culturally diverse team
- Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible
Education
- Essential: A university degree in social science, Medicine, Medical Sciences or Nursing
with specialization in infectious diseases, public health or related discipline. - Desirable: Postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology and social science.
Experience
- Essential: A minimum five years of experience working in AMR, IPC or infectious diseases
- Desirable: Experience working at national and/or international levels with expertise/experience in developing policies in LMICs.
Language Requirement
Applicants must be proficient in at least one of the African Union working languages (English,
French, Arabic, Spanish, Swahili or Portuguese). Knowledge of two or more of African Union
working languages would be an added advantage.
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one year of which the first
three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed
annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability.
Gender Mainstreaming
The Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged
to apply.
Method of Application
Submit your resume, application letter, and relevant documentation to:
The Administration & Human Resource Office
African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
- https://recruitment.afenet.net
- and a copy on Email: sec@afenet.net
- *ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview.
Please note that all applications should be sent online by close of business 5:30 pm (EAT)
Friday September 9, 2022.